Oneonta's Roundabout Revolution Proves Prioritizing People Over Cars Saves Lives and Builds Community

In the heart of New York’s Mohawk Valley, the City of Oneonta hums with life. College students from SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College weave through a bustling downtown, where local shops and cafes thrive. Yet, for years, a critical intersection at James F. Lettis Highway and Main Street has been a choke point, snarling traffic and endangering pedestrians. Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement of a $4 million project to transform this junction into a modern roundabout signals a transformative leap toward safety and sustainability. This isn’t just about smoother traffic; it’s about reimagining how communities can prioritize people over cars.

The project, which broke ground in April 2025, promises to reshape how residents, students, and visitors navigate Oneonta. By replacing a clunky, signalized intersection with a single-lane roundabout, the state is betting on a proven design that slashes severe crashes and eases congestion. New sidewalks, lighting, and flashing beacons will make crossing safer for pedestrians, while sustainable drainage systems and landscaping nod to environmental resilience. For a city that prides itself on walkability, these changes feel like a love letter to its people.

This initiative reflects a broader commitment to human-centered infrastructure. It’s no secret that our roads have long favored speed and volume over safety and equity. In Oneonta, where thousands of students and residents traverse this intersection daily, the stakes are high. The roundabout, funded largely through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program, embodies a rejection of outdated priorities, placing the well-being of communities front and center.

But not everyone sees it this way. Some argue that roundabouts confuse drivers or that construction disruptions outweigh the benefits. These concerns, while understandable, miss the bigger picture. The evidence is clear: roundabouts save lives, reduce emissions, and keep traffic moving. Oneonta’s project is a chance to lead by example, proving that bold infrastructure investments can deliver lasting change.

Roundabouts aren’t just trendy; they’re lifesavers. Studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety show that converting intersections to roundabouts cuts severe injury and fatal crashes by up to 90%. In states like North Dakota and Alabama, roundabouts have slashed total crashes by 33% to 39% and serious collisions by even more. The reason is simple: by forcing drivers to slow down to 10-25 mph, roundabouts eliminate high-impact crashes like right-angle collisions, which are all too common at signalized intersections.

Pedestrians, especially vulnerable groups like students and seniors, benefit immensely. Shorter crossing distances and lower vehicle speeds make roundabouts far safer than traditional setups. In Oneonta, where college students frequently walk to campus or downtown, these changes could prevent tragedies. Add in new sidewalks and flashing beacons, and the project becomes a blueprint for protecting those most at risk on our roads.

Efficiency is another win. Roundabouts reduce vehicle idling, cutting emissions and fuel consumption. Unlike traffic lights, which guzzle electricity and fail during power outages, roundabouts keep traffic flowing. For a city like Oneonta, where tourism and local business depend on easy access, this means less gridlock and more economic vitality. Critics who claim roundabouts cause confusion often overlook how quickly drivers adapt, especially with clear signage and public education, like the instructional video New York’s Department of Transportation is promoting.

Yet, some remain skeptical, pointing to potential increases in minor crashes or challenges for cyclists. These issues, while real, are manageable with smart design. Oneonta’s single-lane roundabout, paired with dedicated bike lanes and pedestrian paths, addresses these concerns head-on. The data speaks for itself: the benefits of roundabouts far outweigh the drawbacks, especially when lives are on the line.

No one pretends construction will be painless. Starting in July 2025, detours and closures at Lettis Highway and Main Street will disrupt daily routines. Local businesses, already reeling from economic pressures, worry about losing foot traffic. In places like Frisco, Texas, similar projects have hurt small shops, with reduced parking and access driving customers away. Oneonta’s leaders know this risk and are stepping up with a free, 24-hour shuttle service and clear signage to keep pedestrians moving.

These mitigation efforts matter. Research from Minnesota shows that single-location businesses suffer most during construction, with sales and employment often taking a hit. But Oneonta’s proactive approach, including designated shuttle stops and community outreach, aims to soften the blow. By contrast, those who argue for delaying such projects ignore the long-term costs of inaction: more crashes, worse congestion, and a city less equipped to thrive in a changing world.

The federal and state funding behind this project, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s historic $643 billion for surface transportation, underscores its urgency. This isn’t just Oneonta’s fight; it’s part of a national push to modernize infrastructure while prioritizing safety and equity. Delaying or scrapping such investments, as some suggest, would rob communities of safer roads and greener futures.

Oneonta’s roundabout is more than a local upgrade; it’s a test case for the Safe System Approach, a framework embraced by the U.S. Department of Transportation to eliminate road fatalities. By designing roads that forgive human error, this approach has cut deaths by over 50% in countries like Sweden and Australia. In U.S. cities like Philadelphia, similar strategies, including intersection redesigns and lower speed limits, are saving lives. Oneonta’s project, with its focus on pedestrian safety and sustainable design, aligns perfectly with this vision.

This is what leadership looks like. While some voices in Washington push to slash infrastructure spending, claiming it’s bloated or unnecessary, projects like Oneonta’s prove them wrong. Federal dollars, championed by leaders like Representative Josh Riley, are delivering tangible benefits to rural and underserved areas. The alternative, a return to underfunded, car-centric roads, would deepen inequities and leave communities like Oneonta stuck in the past.

By the end of 2025, Oneonta’s roundabout will stand as a testament to what’s possible when we invest in people. Safer streets, smoother traffic, and a greener footprint will redefine this vibrant city. But the work doesn’t stop here. A second project, set for 2026, will further improve sidewalks and traffic flow along State Routes 23 and 28, ensuring Oneonta remains a model for others.

This is a moment to dream bigger. Oneonta’s transformation shows that infrastructure isn’t just concrete and steel; it’s about building communities where everyone, from students to seniors, can thrive. Let’s keep pushing for bold, human-centered projects that put safety, equity, and sustainability first. The road ahead is ours to shape.